Looking for free activities you can reliably plan around each month? Orange County offers a handful of predictable, recurring events that families can build into their routine — from miniature trains and airplane displays to hands-on workshops and museum storytimes.
Below is a curated list of recurring monthly free events for kids in Orange County in 2026.
🚂 Monthly Free Events
Costa Mesa
Goathill Junction Railroad – Miniature Train Rides
Runs every third full weekend of the month (weather permitting), typically from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kids who can sit independently and are about 31 inches tall or taller can ride. It’s a sweet, old-school experience that feels like a hidden gem — bring snacks and make it a simple monthly tradition.
Centennial Farm – Discovery Days
On select dates, Centennial Farm offers free admission and free parking. Kids can see farm animals, gardens, and agricultural exhibits in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Fullerton
Fullerton Municipal Airport – Antique Airplane Display Day
Held every second Sunday of the month. Static airplane displays are free to view. Pair it with breakfast at airport-themed Wings Café at the airport — window seats sometimes have built-in airplane control panels at the tables, which kids love.
Fullerton Train Museum
This small, volunteer-run museum is open the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month from 9 a.m. to Noon and sits right next to the active rail lines in Downtown Fullerton. Kids can explore historic rail cars, see model train displays, and watch real Amtrak and Metrolink trains pass just feet away. It’s especially fun for younger train lovers, and because it’s compact and only open in the mornings, it works best as a short, focused outing — perfect to pair with breakfast or a stroll downtown.
Santa Ana
Bowers Museum – Storytime in the Galleries
Held every last Saturday of the month, Storytime in the Galleries includes free General Admission to the museum galleries for attendees, plus a reading inside the exhibit spaces. Kids receive a free copy of the featured book (while supplies last), followed by a simple, hands-on art project inspired by the story.
If your child tends to lose interest in traditional museum visits, this event is a great way to make it more engaging. When we visited, my 6-year-old wasn’t fully into the exhibits at first — but once staff told us about the scavenger hunt (with small prizes!), everything changed. Pairing storytime with the scavenger hunt made the museum feel interactive and fun.
📬 Want a Reminder?
These free monthly kids events are easy to miss. I send a simple reminder email before registration opens — plus a curated list of family-friendly events happening each weekend in Orange County.
👉 Join here to stay in the loop:
San Clemente
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens – Family Sundays
Casa Romantica’s Family Sundays are free community events held on select Sundays throughout the year, offering free admission for both adults and kids during the event hours. These themed afternoons typically include hands-on art projects, live music or cultural performances, and opportunities for kids to explore the historic home and ocean-view gardens in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Casa Romantica itself is a historic Spanish-style estate perched above the San Clemente Pier, with coastal gardens, art exhibitions, and rotating cultural programs. On regular days, general admission usually has a fee, but Family Sundays are a wonderful way for families to experience the property at no cost. The grounds are compact and manageable, making it an easy cultural outing that doesn’t feel overwhelming for younger kids.
🛠 Free Monthly Workshops
🔨 The Home Depot – Kids Workshop
The Home Depot Kids Workshop is a free monthly hands-on building event designed for kids (typically ages 5–12). Workshops are usually held on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at participating stores. Kids receive a small wood project kit, a child-sized apron, and a commemorative pin after completing their build.
Registration online is recommended, as spots can fill quickly. It’s a structured but relaxed environment where kids can safely hammer, paint, and assemble their own mini project — a great confidence-building activity and an easy free weekend outing.
🛠 Lowe’s – Kids Workshop
Lowe’s Kids Workshop is a free monthly building event (typically held on the third Saturday of the month) for kids ages 4–11. Registration opens in advance online and often fills quickly.
To sign up, you’ll need a parent MyLowe’s Rewards account, and it’s best to add your child’s profile before registration opens. At each workshop, kids complete a themed project and earn a physical badge. After collecting 12 physical badges, you can submit for a free prize through the Lowe’s Builder Recognition program (For 2025-2026, digital badges don’t count). It’s a fun, structured hands-on activity that feels like a mini accomplishment day — especially for kids who love building and collecting.
🎨 Michaels In-Store Kids Club Events
Michaels offers regular in-store Kids Club craft events where kids can create seasonal and themed projects in a guided setting. These events are free, with all supplies included, and no purchase is required. Registration is available to reserve a spot, and projects rotate throughout the year — making it an easy, low-pressure creative outing for families who enjoy hands-on crafts.
🛠️ KiwiCo × Carter’s DIY Days (The Market Place – Tustin)
Calling all mini mastercrafters (ages 3+)! Carter’s partners with KiwiCo to host a free, hands-on DIY workshop on the second Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Market Place in Tustin. Kids can build and create a guided mini project focused on innovation, creativity, and exploration — all supplies included. It’s a simple, structured activity that gives little ones a chance to make something and take it home. Sign-up is required to reserve a spot.
🪑 IKEA – Costa Mesa Family Events
The IKEA Costa Mesa store regularly hosts family-friendly events and kids workshops, especially for IKEA Family members (free to join). These activities may include seasonal crafts, simple building projects, holiday-themed events, and occasional in-store scavenger hunts. Some workshops require advance registration and can fill quickly, so it’s best to check the Costa Mesa store’s event calendar regularly.
In addition to scheduled events, the store itself can be a fun low-cost outing — kids enjoy walking through the room displays, browsing the children’s section, and grabbing an affordable snack at the café. It’s an easy indoor option, especially on hot or rainy days.
🏭 Educational Tours
🏭 Yakult USA – Factory Tour (Fountain Valley)
The Yakult Factory Tour in Fountain Valley is a free, reservation-only educational visit where families can see how the popular probiotic drink is produced and bottled. The guided tour walks you through the production viewing area and explains the science behind probiotics in a simple, kid-friendly way. At the end, visitors typically receive a complimentary Yakult drink sample. Tours are held on select weekdays and must be booked in advance through Yakult’s website. It’s a short, structured outing that works well for school-age kids.
Planning Tips
- Many workshops require advance online registration.
- Outdoor events may be weather-dependent.
- Arrive early when possible — popular monthly events can draw steady crowds.
- Always double-check event pages for schedule updates before heading out.
This list is continuously updated as I discover more free monthly events in Orange County. If you know of one I should add, feel free to email me at ocplayfun@gmail.com — I’d love to include it and keep this guide as complete and helpful as possible.